Dubai · Attraction
Burj Al Arab: the sail-shaped icon, seen from the beach
Built on its own island and opened in 1999, Burj Al Arab is one of Dubai's best-known symbols. Its 321m sail silhouette is best enjoyed from the outside: from the sand at Sunset Beach in Umm Suqeim, the whole building stands against the sea and the late-afternoon sky.
Essential information
- Opening hours
- The hotel has been closed since April 2026 for an 18-month phased restoration; enjoy it from outside.
- Tickets
- Sunset Beach is free, with no reservation needed.
- Getting there
- Sunset Beach is at 22 Al Sagi Street, Umm Suqeim; the hotel stands on Jumeirah Road.
The icon
Burj Al Arab stands on Jumeirah Road in Umm Suqeim 3, on an island built for it alone. It is an all-suite hotel, known for its 'seven-star' reputation and for helping put Dubai on the global luxury travel map since 1999.
Visit Dubai states that the hotel has been closed since April 2026 for an 18-month phased restoration project. On this page, then, we treat Burj Al Arab as a landmark to see and photograph from the outside, not as a visit to the interior.
Sunset Beach, the best seat in the house
Sunset Beach, also known as Umm Suqeim beach, is at 22 Al Sagi Street and has views of Burj Al Arab. It is one of the quieter stretches of the coast, and in the evening the sunset that gives the beach its name completes the scene.
- Free entry, no reservation needed.
- A beachside running track, good for a morning jog or stroll.
- A library station for donating or borrowing books.
- Well suited to surfing and fishing; you can also watch kite surfers performing stunts at nearby Kite Beach.
- Night swimming: large light installations switch on after dark, so you can swim 30m out to sea until the lights go off at midnight.
Around the beach
Jumeirah Beach Hotel sits right next to the beach. For something more relaxed, Visit Dubai points to Bu Qtair, a seaside seafood shack serving since the 1980s and loved for its masala fish, fried prawns and parathas.
How long to allow and how to fit it in
With a High Class private driver, the evening flows at an easy pace.
The stop combines well with an afternoon on Palm Jumeirah or dinner at the Marina and JBR.
The High Class team confirms everything for your date on WhatsApp before the programme is booked.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit inside Burj Al Arab?
According to Visit Dubai, the hotel has been closed since April 2026 for an 18-month phased restoration. For now, the best way to enjoy it is from the outside, from Sunset Beach.
Is Sunset Beach free?
Yes. Entry is free and no reservation is required, according to Visit Dubai.
When is the best time to photograph Burj Al Arab?
We recommend late afternoon, with the sunset light on the sail, seen from Sunset Beach.
Official sources consulted (2)
- Visit Dubai, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/burj-al-arab Consulted on .
- Visit Dubai, Sunset Beach. https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/sunset-beach Consulted on .
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